Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-11-08
THE CAPTAIN OF THE ARMY.
He Claims that the Methodist Church
Was Wronsfally Denied Him, as the
Isrselites Have no Connection what.
ever with the MOrmons.

ever with the Mormons.
To rHs EDITOR OF rHs TxEs:-
beg leave to explain our position,
because we are charged in your paper
of September Goth, last, OF being an
offshoot Of tho Mormon Church, or q
branch Of the same. Such is not the
case, and tho public report is a mis-
take aud vol calculated to do US
much injury. If person believes in
the Cross OF Christ and the Roman
Catholic Church also believes in the
Cross, does that make him an offshoot
OF the Catholics or in anywise related?
If 50, tho Methodist Church and all
the sec,arian world is an offshoot of
that Church. The true Light of
Christ shines amid aud all down
through the fabrics of mortal igno
rance and corruption; aud yet those
believing in what is true are not in
anywise connected nor responsible for
that corruption and darkness; but
only for that which is verify their own
errols.
spoke, in our tracts that were cir
culated, using the names Of Joseph
Smith, Joseph Morris, David, etc,
with respect, and showing their good
qualities and not having occasion to
speak Of their bad ones. And il ever
l believed in these individuals for
whatsoever good was in them and de-
nounce their errors, not being = mem
Der Of their organization, how could
l be called all oFshoo. Of them or the
organization they were of, by any de-.
gree of correctness or justice2 Par
.icularly so if were never a member
Of their same organization you refer to.
Now, be it known and remembered
that we hold and are willing to de-
fend by any public or private discus
sion that even the so, called "Mor-
mons" to-day are entirely a different
Church, a fallen people, lost in dark
ness, astray and exilcs in these val
legs and in many by and forbidden
paths Of doctrine as far as the origin
al organization and authority that
was, is concerned. And ",hat which
they have destroyed" they cannot,
neither anyone else "bui!d up again"
according to the law of the Bible;
but as always so now also whosoever
transgresseth and abideth not in the
Doctrine of Christ hath not the true
spirit controlling. Or, if there Is an
old fragment or carcass of that same
body where the eagles are gathering
for a prey in the present conflict, that
has nothing to do with our youth, the
Church Of the First Born, nor the
Army Of Israel. These are distinct
organizations altogether and holding
many principles entirely different, and
really makes them more at war with
US than yourselves perhaps. Our or,
CARNATIONS have had their standing
and foundation independently and
original Of their own peculiar charac.
ter. And we arc Of full age and free
from all sects and other organizations
whatsoever. We are aware that there
are several parties that have arisen
claiming to be the original organiza,
ton founded by Joseph Smith, and
the authority under him which be
claimed; but we do not. They may
be properly called connected init.
mately with the Church which has
ever been called Of the "Mormons.
Such, we believe, is "The Re. organ.
lied Church Of Latter Day Saints
under the young Joseph Smith, and
what is called the Brlghamite Nor
mons, the Whtmorei:e Mormons, the
Hendricki,es, the Riedonites, etc
These might be called off'hoots of the
original Mormons; but our organize
ton is claimed from other sources and
we hold many new doctrines and
principles verify different from every
other sect under heaven. And where.
insoever We are in common faith with
any denomination we are willing te
acknowledge it and not ashamed
and wherein and how we differ W,
are pleased to show. We differ a.
much from all others as the duties o
the Seventh Day are different from
those of the six days, and indeed o
new light and new things never be
fore discovered to the rel,gi ous world
|